Santa Steam Specials
Passengers travel aboard 1950s carriages hauled by a steam train from Princes Risborough to Santa's Enchanted Workshop and Grotto at the North Pole station. During the journey, elves entertain children with puzzles, games, activity packs, and letters to Santa. At the station, visitors can meet Santa, view working model railway displays, and enjoy complimentary hot drinks and mince pies or biscuits.
What to Expect
Heritage steam train journey to Santa's North Pole workshop and grotto.
Event Details
Duration
Approximately 1 hour 35 minutes.
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway Company Ltd
Food & Drink
Tickets include a mince pie or biscuits and a drink of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or Fruit Shoot; additional snacks and refreshments are available to buy at the station café.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Magical and family-focused
Energy Level
Low
Budget
££
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: November 28 and 29: £24.50 per adult/senior or child aged 1–12, described as an early-season special with £5 off per person. December dates: £29.50 per adult/senior or child aged 1–12. Each child ticket includes a present; babes in arms under 1 do not need a ticket and receive a small gift. The ticket includes a mince pie or biscuits and a tea, coffee, chocolate or fruit shoot. Groups have no discounted fares; limited concessions for accompanying adults in Brownies, Cubs and similar organisations may be available by enquiry. – Get tickets
- Hours: Train departures: 10.30, 12.30 and 14.30.
- Parking: Chiltern Railways pay-and-display parking at the station; check parking prices with Chiltern Railways.
- Accessibility: A wheelchair space is available only in a separate area of the train for one wheelchair user and one accompanying carer.
- Pets: Small dogs may travel on the Santa Special trains on a short lead and may not sit on seats. Dogs other than assistance/guide dogs cannot enter Santa’s Grotto.
Tips & Advice
- Leave buggies and strollers in the car or on Platform 4 at Princes Risborough, because they cannot be carried on board the train.
- Tables seat four, so if you want to sit with another family, say so in the additional information box at checkout when you book.
- Book 28 or 29 November for the early-season special, which takes money off every ticket compared with the December dates.
- Allow 48 hours for a reply to booking questions, because the back-office team who handle them are all volunteers.
- Look out for face painting for 3 to 11 year olds while the train waits at Chinnor, and pick up extra snacks or mulled wine at the station café.
Special Events & Promotions
- Early-season special on 28 and 29 November, with money off every ticket.
- Brownies, Cubs and similar groups may get concessions for a limited number of accompanying adults, by enquiry.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages is the Santa Steam Special for?
It's aimed at children. Child tickets cover ages 1 to 12, and each one includes a present. Babies under one don't need a ticket and still get a small gift. Adults and teenagers are welcome but don't receive a gift from Santa.
What is there to do on the train and at the North Pole?
On the way, elves keep children busy with activity packs, puzzles, games and Letters-to-Santa. At the North Pole station there's Santa's Enchanted Workshop, a forest scene with a log cabin and reindeer, and the Winter Wonderland and Spiral model railways. While the train is in the platform at Chinnor, there's face painting for 3 to 11 year olds.
What food and drink is there?
A mince pie or biscuits and a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or fruit shoot are included and served at the North Pole station. Limited dietary needs are catered for. The Chinnor station café sells mulled wine, hot sausage rolls, vegetarian and vegan sausage rolls, sandwiches, crisps and snacks.
How long does the trip take?
The round trip takes about 1 hour 35 minutes.
Can we bring a buggy on board?
No. Buggies and strollers can't go on the train. Leave them on Platform 4 at Princes Risborough or in your car.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
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